Line projection apparatus

ABSTRACT

A life saving projectile comprises a cavity in which is contained a reel of line, one end of the reel being accessible through a hole in the projectile, the reel being arranged to pay out behind the projectile when the projectile is projected and the said one end retained at the point of projection.

United States Patent 11111 Rinfret et al.

| *ll LINE IROJII( l'l`l( )N APPARATUS [/f1| Inu-mor .luhn Henry Temple Rinfrct;

l'llizuhclh Margaret Rinl'ret, both o|` The (irungc, West Ashby, linglnnd [22| l'ilul` ,lune I8, |974 lll Appl No 480,558

1451 Oct. 14.1975

l57| ABSTRACT A lifc mving projectile compxm 11 cuvilrv in wlnt'li 1\ uontuined .1 rcel o|` linc, oml cmi 111 llnrcel lwmAL1 .1t cessilile through u hole in thu proluctllc. [lic rccl hemp n'rungcil to puy out lwhiml thc pmjcctlu win-11 lln` proicililc is proicclctl :unl thc mill onu clnl |1l.1|1n1l A1l the point of projection,

5 (`|uims, 3 Drawing Figurvs U.S. Patent oct. 14, 1975 LINE PROJECTION APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to apparatus for projecting a line for example to a person in a dangerous position e. g. in water or on a mountain ledge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a life saving projectile having a cavity in which is contained a reel of line` one end of the reel being accessible through a hole in the projectile, the reel being arranged to pay out behind the projectile when the projectile is projected and the said one end retained at the point of projection.

Preferably the projectile is provided with a hollow handle through which the line passes and the line is accessible through the handle.

There may be provided an elongated rod which is a push fit in the handle and which can be used to project the projectile by a swinging or flicking action.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. l is a transverse cross-section through the projectile which is cylindrical;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one method of projection; and,

FIG. 3 is a side view of the rod.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The projectile is made of low density polyethylene and comprises two mouldings, an end cylinder l and a handle and flange ll welded together at l2. The handle is very slightly tapered inwardly towards the flanges.

Within the cylinder there is a coreless cop 14 of cord which floats in water. The outer end 15 of the cord on the cop is knotted to a washer I6 and the inner end 17 of the cord passes through a tubular handgrip 18 received within the stern ll and is knotted to the handgrip. The handgrip is so dimensioned that one end projects beyond the end of the stem for easy removal of the handgrip.

A dust cap 19 fits over the free end of the handle.

In use the dust cap I9 is removed and the handgrip 18 is pulled out and either held in one hand or attached to a suitable fixing point. The projectile is then held by the handle and thrown to where the line is to be sent e.g` to a drowning or stranded person. The cord pays out from the inside of the cop behind the projectile and the end l5 of the cord remains attached to the projectile as the washer 16 will not pass out through the handle.

lt will be appreciated by reason of' the material from which the projectile is made that the projectile as well as the line will float in water.

If a longer carry of line is required the projectile may be thrown using the rod shown in FIG. 3.

The rod 20 comprises a tube of polyvinyl chloride or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene to one end of which is attached a knob 2l. An axial slit 22 is provided at the other end of` the rod.

The rod is then pushed into the hollow handle ll. The resilience of the rod material and the axial slit 22 in combination with the taper of the handle ll enable a firm contact to be obtained between the rod and the handle. If desired the cord may be placed so that the cord lies in the axial slit.

The projectile is then thrown by holding the knob end of the rod and flicking the projectile away.

The projectile can be flicked even further if the handle is spring-loaded as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively the projectile could be propelled by a catapult, bow, rocket, or any other suitable projection.

Furthermore the projectile can have fins or flights fitted to give better directional flight and it can be increased in weight by increasing the weight of the washer, or the density of the material.

We claim:

l. A life saving projectile having a cavity in which is contained a reel of line, one end ofthe reel being accessible through a hole in the projectile, the reel being arranged to pay out behind the projectile when the projectile is projected and said one end retained at the point of projection, a hollow handle on the projectile through which the line passes and the line being accessible through the handle, there being an elongated rod which is a push fit in the handle and which can be used to project the projectile by a swinging or flicking action.

2. A projectile as claimed in claim l wherein a grip is provided for the said one end of the line which grip is stored within the handle.

3. A projectile as claimed in claim l wherein the projectile and line both float in water.

4. A life saving projectile comprising a hollow cylinder within which is retained coaxially a coreless cop of cord of sufficient strength to support the weight of a person to be rescued, a tubular handle having its axis concentric with the axis of the cop and of the cylinder extending from one end of the cylinder` one end of the cord extending into the handle and attached to a handgrip located in the handle and accessible from outside the handle and th other end of the cord being attached to the cylinder, and a removable cap covering the free end of the handle.

5. A life saving projectile as claimed in claim 4 including an elongated tubular rod which is a push fit in the hollow handle, the handle being tapered internally inwardly in the direction towards the cylinder, and the rod being of a resilient material and having an axial slit at its end to engage the handle.

* k k l 

1. A life saving projectile having a cavity in which is contained a reel of line, one end of the reel being accessible through a hole in the projectile, the reel being arranged to pay out behind the projectile when the projectile is projected and said one end retained at the point of projection, a hollow handle on the projectile through which the line passes and the line being accessible through the handle, there being an elongated rod which is a push fit in the handle and which can be used to project the projectile by a swinging or flicking action.
 2. A projectile as claimed in claim 1 wherein a grip is provided for the said one end of the line which grip is stored within the handle.
 3. A projectile as claimed in claim 1 wherein the projectile and line both float in water.
 4. A life saving projectile comprising a hollow cylinder within which is retained coaxially a coreless cop of cord of sufficient strength to support the weight of a person to be rescued, a tubular handle having its axis concentric with the axis of the cop and of the cylinder extending from one end of the cylinder, one end of the cord extending into the handle and attached to a handgrip located in the handle and accessible from outside the handle and th other end of the cord being attached to the cylinder, and a removable cap covering the free end of the handle.
 5. A life saving projectile as claimed in claim 4 including an elongated tubular rod which is a push fit in the hollow handle, the handle being tapered internally inwardly in the direction towards the cylinder, and the rod being of a resilient material and having an axial slit at its end to engage the handle. 